Radio replacement?

I want to add car play and a better mic to my 2019 4Runner. Has anyone installed the Hamilton radio or the alpine that blocks the vents? If so how do you like them? Or any other recommendations.

 

I've had my eye on this one:

https://trailgridpro.com/products/alpine-ilx-f509-plug-play-bundle-14-23-4runner




It doesn't block the vents at all, but it is pricey.

 

They turn out good stuff, I got mine from them 2+ years ago.

 

Alpine or Hamilton?

 

If you have entune 2.0 you can swap in 3.0 with carplay with a harness. My Pioneer doesn't block the vents but the software brings this unit down. Plenty of options from Trailgrid, Crutchfield or CTH but I wouldn't go with one of those China units from CTH.

The Alpine floating units are massive and I'd stay away from Pioneer.

My Pioneer DMH-WT7600NEX:

A front pic looks like it blocks the vents:



How much it actually blocks:

 

I’ve tried the CTH chinese units, kenwood, Sony and alpine head units. The CTH looked the best but was too buggy for me. I ended up with an alpine and am very happy with it. The Sony was a close 2nd but ultimately I ended up with alpine ilx-507 and like it a lot. It’s about the same size as stock head unit.

 

I grabbed the Sony. I meant TrailGrid Pro, sorry. I’ve bought a few things from them and they are awesome.

 

For anyone using their Alpine iLX with a Maestro RR2, does it enable access/changing the hidden customizable features (i.e. roll down windows with remote, turn off beep when arming alarm, etc.)?

 

The idatalink allows you to access some features but I don't think it was all of them. I didn't compare to when I had the Carista app free trial.

 

I use the 509 with the RR1 and yes the vehicle settings are there. But only the ones that the truck had originally on the OEM radio.

 

I’ll get pics of my options in the evening to reduce screen glare. It’s a Pioneer unit but I don’t think the unit brand matters and it’s only based on what the Maestro offers but I could be wrong.

 

Photo dump…My Maestro unit should have the latest firmware but I’m not sure at the time of this post. Also probably should have dimmed the display.

Main Menu



Door lock options:



Light Options:



Advanced options:

 

Kenwood DNX 577 S w/ Garmin GPS built-in and full iData set up from Crutchfield

 

I'd be interested in knowing what unit is the best for the 4Runner. I have the highest end Alpine unit that I put in back in 2020. It has died. No idea what the issue is. And it never really performed all that well IMO. And the graphics are terrible. I had a buddy build his head unit around an iPad on his Raptor several years ago. He didn't have radio options but I can live without that. Will be looking at all options and will let you know what I decide on.

 

I installed the Sony and have no issues with vents being blocked. The screen is 9” which is perfect.

 

Does anyone have any issues when off roading with any of units? I am afraid I will shake those head units loose

 

I've been eyeing one of those china units, I don't like how any of the other screens look.

https://www.dasaita.com/products/da...g-dts-gps-navigation-head-unit-optical-output

This looks oem, and not like an ipad that was attached to the dash as an afterthought.

 

It's a cheap chineese tablet disguising as a head unit.

 

Looks nice. What did you pay for it with all the adapters?

 

I have had no issues with banging around, the mount is solid! I did a lot of upgrades to the sound system, 4 Channel amp for the back seats/cargo and a 5 channel amp for the front. JL Audio sub and all new Hertz Millie Pro 6.5 speakers. I can almost melt the ice in the winter!

 

I had the trailgrid pro sony ax4000 in my 2014 4runner. Only downside is that with polarized sunglasses the screen is not bright enough. Was not a problem with the oem headunit.

 

But the climate display is blocked, no?

 

No. The angle of the pic makes it look it that way.

 

Mine just showed up a few days ago. I haven't gotten to the install yet because I have cameras I'm adding and have to run the cabling for that. I've installed quite a few headunits over the years and I'd go with Trail Grid Pro again hands-down. Everything looks to be nicely done. And if you're not going too crazy with the install, if shouldn't take longer than 45 minutes to do.

If that's the video I watched when my version showed up, it's a little outdated. They now include the GPS antenna adaptor for the OEM sharkfin and for the included Bluetooth microphone. It all looks OEM. No microphone hanging off stuff and no GPS antenna under the dash.

I really tried to stay with the OEM headunit, but finally gave up. Too much suckiness.

For the others: I would stay away from the Chinese headunits. I went through three in my Tacoma. They're pretty cool when you get them and see all the functionality. But then the "new toy" syndrome ends and you realize it's a half-ass execution. There were so many bugs and instances of poor translations. My first one I bricked trying to update the firmware (which is a sketchy prospect, at best). The second one just stopped working one day. I finally gave up trying to Google-translate-communication with the sellers and ate the costs for both.

 

I had the TrailGrid Pro Sony XAV-9500 installed in my 2015 4Runner Trail Premium. It works and far better than Entune 3.0 and looks really nice.